Dear Editor,
For many years I have been toying with an idea that I believe can and will bring significant growth to the Jamaican economy if seriously examined, researched and implemented by the powers that be.
I believe serious thought and examination should be given to the idea of a casino city in Jamaica.
Such a city would firstly be enclosed by walls or fencing, so the activities within can be monitored and policed in a particular way; the activities of the city will be adult-oriented or would involve adult entertainment.
This area would contain all the elements of gaming, from card games to slot machines; other types of entertainment would include nightclubs, bars, lounges, massage parlours, etc.
It would include restaurants and supermarkets to provide food for the patrons and those who are housed there permanently, such as city marshals and the police, and certainly hotels and motels to provide accommodations for those who visit the city for entertainment.
It would be governed as a municipality, with its own elected councillors and mayor, who would manage its affairs, such as road maintenance, drain cleaning, garbage collection, etc. These councillors would be a part of the respective parish council and would also see to the collection of the statutory revenue.
The city would also have its own banks to deal with monetary activities that would take place within its walls with a direct link to the central bank.
I see the establishment of such a city stimulating economic activity and thus facilitating economic growth. I see such a venture creating thousands of jobs for many of our citizens.
I expect that we would earn foreign exchange as it would be strongly promoted as a tourist destination to relax, be entertained and certainly to win some money.
It is also my view that it will, over time, facilitate the lowering of taxes as it has done with the cities of Las Vegas in the United States and Sydney in Australia.
Often when as a country we had debates about the topic, the church and other civic groups have always taken the position that this is not a morally acceptable activity for a Christian society such as ours.
Nothing is wrong with this view. Famous sociologist Emile Durkheim states that society is a body with organs and all the organs of society have a function to facilitate the survival of the body as a whole.
The function of the Church, in my view, is to see to the salvation of man’s soul and act as the conscience of society. It is, therefore, the Church’s duty to criticise that which they view as immoral or wrong.
Governments also have their function, which is to act as the brain of society and ensure the growth and development of same.
They also have a responsibility to stimulate economic activity and ensure economic growth, thus securing the prosperity of the people. Churches and civic society will continue to do what they do best; they must never be condemned for this.
Government must do the same and carry out their function; I believe that a casino city is a great tool to stimulate economic growth, and they should examine this idea with a view of implementing it in the near future.
Gary Rowe
Manchester magnett0072004@yahoo.com
For many years I have been toying with an idea that I believe can and will bring significant growth to the Jamaican economy if seriously examined, researched and implemented by the powers that be.
I believe serious thought and examination should be given to the idea of a casino city in Jamaica.
Such a city would firstly be enclosed by walls or fencing, so the activities within can be monitored and policed in a particular way; the activities of the city will be adult-oriented or would involve adult entertainment.
This area would contain all the elements of gaming, from card games to slot machines; other types of entertainment would include nightclubs, bars, lounges, massage parlours, etc.
It would include restaurants and supermarkets to provide food for the patrons and those who are housed there permanently, such as city marshals and the police, and certainly hotels and motels to provide accommodations for those who visit the city for entertainment.
It would be governed as a municipality, with its own elected councillors and mayor, who would manage its affairs, such as road maintenance, drain cleaning, garbage collection, etc. These councillors would be a part of the respective parish council and would also see to the collection of the statutory revenue.
The city would also have its own banks to deal with monetary activities that would take place within its walls with a direct link to the central bank.
I see the establishment of such a city stimulating economic activity and thus facilitating economic growth. I see such a venture creating thousands of jobs for many of our citizens.
I expect that we would earn foreign exchange as it would be strongly promoted as a tourist destination to relax, be entertained and certainly to win some money.
It is also my view that it will, over time, facilitate the lowering of taxes as it has done with the cities of Las Vegas in the United States and Sydney in Australia.
Often when as a country we had debates about the topic, the church and other civic groups have always taken the position that this is not a morally acceptable activity for a Christian society such as ours.
Nothing is wrong with this view. Famous sociologist Emile Durkheim states that society is a body with organs and all the organs of society have a function to facilitate the survival of the body as a whole.
The function of the Church, in my view, is to see to the salvation of man’s soul and act as the conscience of society. It is, therefore, the Church’s duty to criticise that which they view as immoral or wrong.
Governments also have their function, which is to act as the brain of society and ensure the growth and development of same.
They also have a responsibility to stimulate economic activity and ensure economic growth, thus securing the prosperity of the people. Churches and civic society will continue to do what they do best; they must never be condemned for this.
Government must do the same and carry out their function; I believe that a casino city is a great tool to stimulate economic growth, and they should examine this idea with a view of implementing it in the near future.
Gary Rowe
Manchester magnett0072004@yahoo.com